United States: pork exports increase

September was another solid month for U.S. red meat exports, with pork, beef and lamb totals well above year-ago levels, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by USMEF.

September pork export volume was 183,936 mt – also down slightly from August but up 7 percent from a year ago. For January through September, export volume was 5 percent above last year’s pace at 1.66 million mt. September export value was up 8 percent from a year ago to $491 million, while January-September export value was $4.27 billion, up 1 percent from the same period last year.

Exports accounted for 24 percent of total pork production in September and 20 percent for muscle cuts only. January-September ratios were 25 percent and 21 percent, up slightly from last year, mainly reflecting growth in variety meat exports to China/Hong Kong.

Strong momentum continues for pork exports to Mexico

After a somewhat slow first half of the year, pork exports to Mexico moved higher in August and continued to climb in September – posting the second-largest monthly volume on record (66,567 mt, up 14 percent from a year ago). September value to Mexico was $131.4 million, up 25 percent from a year ago and the highest since December 2014. For January through September, exports to Mexico pulled within 4 percent of last year’s record pace in volume (510,737 mt) and moved 1 percent higher in value ($939.7 million). USMEF’s efforts to bolster pork demand in Mexico continue to pay dividends, as per capita pork consumption has increased nearly 20 percent since 2011 and now exceeds 40 pounds per year.